Strap system for material handling

ABSTRACT

For use in a cargo hauling system including at least one structural member having a predetermined thickness and providing at least one elongated slot therein having a standard length and width, a plurality of straps, at least one connector for connecting an end of one of the straps to one of the said structural members, and at least one buckle for connecting together two of the straps. Each of the connectors comprises an elongated connector member, a portion of which moves longitudinally in such a slot, and a locking member yieldably urged to a locking position effective to prevent such movement, thereby to hold the connector member in the slot. The length of the main body portion or front side portion of the connector member is greater than the length of the slot such that it must move longitudinally within the slot to be removed therefrom. Each buckle comprises a frame including laterally spaced apart frame members receiving therebetween a portion of such a strap and a rigid member providing a gripping surface extending between the frame members and against which such a strap portion rests. A unidirectional gripping member is provided and spring urged against the strap tightly to secure it against movement relative to the gripping surface. Take-up means is provided for pulling the strap through the buckle in the direction of movement permitted by the gripping member, the take-up means being mounted on the buckle frame.

United States Patent Brodnicki [54] STRAP SYSTEM FOR MATERIAL HANDLING [72] Inventor: Anthony F. Brodnicki, Columbus,

Ind.

[73] Assignee: Ny Met Industries, Inc., Columbus,

Ind.

22 Filed: Jan. 11,1971

21 Appl.No.: 105,313

[52] US. Cl. ..24/68 CD, 24/170, 24/265 CD, 105/369 A [51] Int. Cl. .....A44b 21/00, A44b 11/12, A44c 5/18 [58] Held of Search-......24/201 A, 201 D, 201 R, 265 CD,24/170, 191, 68, 69, 170, 68 D, 68 CD, 265

CD; 105/369 A; 248/361 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,513,169 6/1950 Griswold ..24/ 170 2,816,342 12/1957 Hyre ..24/68 D 2,916,786 12/1959 Legat ..24/17'0 3,099,055 7/1963 Huber ..24/68 CD 3,323,186 6/1967 Rennert ..24/265 CD 3,381,925 5/ 1968 Higuchi 105/369 A x 3,428,331 2/1969 Morgan et al. ..105/369 A UX 2,756,693 7/1956 Frost ..105/369 A Aug. 29, 1972 Examiner-Donald A. Grifiin Attorney-l-lood, Gust, Irish, Coffey & Lundy [57] ABSTRACT of straps, at least one connector for connecting an end of one of the straps to one of the said structural members, and at least one buckle for connecting together two of the straps. Each of the connectors comprises an elongated connector member, a portion of which moves longitudinally in such a slot, and a locking member yieldably urged to a locking position effective to prevent such movement, thereby to hold the connector member in the slot. The length of the main body portion or front side portion of the connector member is greater than the length of the slot such that it must move longitudinally within the slot to be removed therefrom. Each buckle comprises a frame including laterally spaced apart frame members receiving therebetween a portion of such a strap and a rigid member providing a gripping surface extending between the frame members and against which such a strap portion rests. A unidirectional gripping member is provided and spring urged against the strap tightly to secure it against movement relative to the gripping surface. Take-up means is provided for pulling the strap through the buckle in the direction of movement permitted by the gripping member, the take-up means being mounted on the buckle frame.

W lfiClain-is, 10 Drawingfigures PATENTEDAUBZS I972 3586715 sum 1 or 2 I 1 A l INVENTOR f" 38 ANTHONYEBRODNICKI 24 s; \Wi jkw ATTORN EYS STRAP SYSTEM FOR MATERIAL HANDLES It is a primary object of my present invention to provide, for use in a cargo hauling system conventionally including structural members provided with elongated slots having standard lengths and widths, a simple and inexpensive, but very effective strapping system for holding cargo in place, the system including connectors for connecting the ends of some straps to such structural members having such slots, and buckles for connecting together such straps. Another object of my present invention is to provide means, incorporated into such buckles, for taking up the slack of the straps connected by such buckles.

conventionally, cargo compartments, including, for instance, railway and truck vans, are provided with structural members spaced along their walls, these structural members having a standard thickness and providing a plurality of vertically elongated slots therein, each of the slots having a standard length and width. My present invention provides simple and inexpensive means for connecting the ends of straps to the structural members as well as a simple and inexpensive buckle for connecting two such straps, my strap connecting means and my buckle being considerably improved over the prior devices of which I am aware.

Further objects and features of my present invention will become apparent as this description progresses.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention may be embodied in the forms illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that change may be made in the specific constructions illustrated and described, so long as the scope of the appended claims is not violated.

IN THE drawings FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing my buckle with its gripping member in its locking position;

FIG. 2 is a similar sectional view showing my buckle with its gripping member in its strap releasing position;

FIG. 3 is a plan view partially sectioned and partially cut away view showing my buckle as well as my preferred means for connecting an end of a strap to a slotted structural member;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, partially cut away, showing my buckle with a take-up means mounted on the frame thereof;

FIG. 5 is another view partially sectioned and partially cut away showing my buckle with another type of take-up means mounted on the frame thereof;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a cargo space with such slotted structural members and with a support beam and a strap utilized therein;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the manner in which my connector is inserted into a slot of a slotted structural member;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of my connector;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view, partially cut away, showing the connector in place in the slot of a structural member; and

FIG. 10 shows a form of my connector with a bracket mounted thereon for supporting and holding the end of a support beam.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-5, it will be seen that I have shown my preferred buckle structure, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 in FIGS. 1-3, by the reference numeral 10' in FIG. 4 and by the reference numeral 10" in FIG. 5. In this description, like reference numerals represent like parts. In FIG. 4, a strap take-up means is added to the buckle structure of FIGS. 1-3 and in FIG. 5 another type of take-up means is added to the buckle structure of FIGS. 1-3.

My basic buckle structure includes means for fastening together or connecting together two straps such as indicated at 12 and 14. The buckle 10 comprises a rigid frame including laterally spaced apart frame members 16, 18, arranged to receive therebetween a portion of the strap 14, i.e., the loose end of the strap 14. The frame also includes a rigid trunnion-like member 20 extending between the frame members 16, 18 and about which a loop of the strap 12 is disposed, and another trunnion-like rigid member 22 also extending between the frame members 16, 18. The trunnion member 22 is provided with a generally flat gripping surface 24 against which a portion of the strap 14 rests. The trunnion 22 has a part circular bearing cross section for reasons which will be discussed hereinafter.

Spaced to the right of the gripping surface 24, as viewed in FIGS. 1-5, is a gripping member 26 and means 28 mounting the gripping member for pivotal movement about an axis generally parallel to the axes defined by the trunnion member 20 and the trunnion member 22. The axis defined by the means 28, which may be a trunnion on which the member 26 rocks or a shaft which rocks with the member, extends generally parallel to the generally fiat gripping surface 24. The surface 24 lies in a plane which is generally perpendicular to a plane which includes the axes of the trunnion 22 and the means 28. The gripping member 26 pivots from its strap releasing position illustrated in FIG. 2 to its strap gripping position illustrated in FIG. 1. The gripping member provides an engaging portion 30 proportioned and designed to engage the strap 14 and to hold it securely against the gripping surface 24. The engaging portion or engaging edge of the gripping member 26 is inclined and serrated as illustrated so that, as it pivots counterclockwise (FIGS. 1-5) to its gripping position illustrated in FIG. 1, its upper edge 30a grips tightly into the strap 14. This edge 30a is at a distance from the axis of the means 28 such that it would actually engage the gripping surface 24 if the member 26 could continue to pivot counterclockwise from its position shown in FIG. 1. The configuration of the gripping portion 30 is such that the gripping member 26 is unidirectional as will be discussed hereinafter.

I provide a spring 36 as means for yieldably urging the gripping member 26 to its FIG. 1 position, i.e., to the position in which its engaging portion 30 engages a portion of the strap 14 to hold it securely against the gripping surface. In the illustrative embodiment, the spring 36 is a spring wire fonned in such a manner that its end portions coil about the opposite ends of the trunnion member 26 with its ends 38 extending through slots, respectively, in the frame members 16, 18. It will be appreciated, however, that I may use any number of different types of springs to urge the gripping member 26 counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 1-5. For instance, I may use a flat metal formed leaf spring or the like.

I provide means for moving the gripping member 26 against the urging of the spring 36 from its FIG. 1 position to its FIG. 2 position. In the illustrative embodiment, this moving means includes a lever 40 which provides a cover for the buckle mechanism, this lever 40 being formed with a pair of depending ears 42, each of which is provided with a circular opening 44 just slightly larger in diameter than the diameter of the circular bearing surface of the trunnion 22. Thus, the lever 40 rocks about the axis defined by the trunnion 22. Each ear 42 is formed with a projecting portion defining a cam surface 46. A cam follower pin 48 extends laterally outwardly from each side or each end of the gripping member 26 to engage and follow the adjacent cam surface 46. Thus, when the lever 40 is pivoted for its FIG. 1 position to its FIG. 2 position, the cam surfaces 46 lift the pins 48, and consequently the gripping member 26, to their FIG. 2 positions effective to release the strap 14.

The projection defining each cam surface 46 includes a hook portion 50 at one end of the cam surface and an abutment portion 52. Between each hook portion 50 and abutment portion 52, the cam surface 46 is slightly arcuate as illustrated best in FIGS. 4 and 5. This slightly arcuate cam surface provides a smooth and positive lifting action. It will be appreciated that each pin 48 can move on its associated cam surface 46 between the hook portion 50 and the abutment portion 52 at opposite ends of the cam surface.

Because the engaging portion 30 is inclined relative to the gripping surface 24 as well as to the plane which includes the axes of the trunnion member 22 and the means 28, the strap 14 is free to move as indicated by the arrow 60, but restrained from moving as indicated by the arrow 62. In other words, the gripping member 26 is proportioned and designed to prevent the strap 14 from moving in one direction (arrow 62) while permitting it to move in the opposite direction (arrow 60).

The structure of FIG. 4 includes rotary means 64 journal mounted in extension portions 65 of the frame members 16', 18, only one portion 65 being shown. This rotary means 64, which rotates about an axis extending parallel to the aforementioned axes of the trunnions 22, 20 and means 28, includes a socket head 66 proportioned and designed to be engaged by a conventional socket wrench, preferably a ratchet-action socket wrench. The rotary means 64 includes a pair of transversely extending spaced apart members 68, 69 defining, therebetween, a space for receiving a portion of the strap 14. When the rotary means 64 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 so that the strap 14 is wrapped about the two members 68,. 69 as illustrated, the strap is tightened or pulled in the direction of the arrow 60. I may provide a frictional washer or other similar means operative to provide some frictional drag resisting the counterclockwise rotation of the rotary means 64. There is a member 7%) extending between the extension portions 65 to keep the strap 14 spaced apart from the rotary means 64.

Referring now to FIG. 5, it will be seen that i have illustrated another take-up means comprising a handle 72 which is mounted on extension portions of the frame members 16', 18" to be pivotally movable about a trunnion 74, the axis of which is parallel to the aforementioned axes of the trunnions 22, 26 and the means 2%. whileonly an elevational view of the structure of FIG. 5 is shown, the handle 72 includes a pair of leverlike members laterally spaced apart to receive therebetween the strap 14. Extending between these two members is a first rod 76 and a second rod 78. The first rod 76 is rigidly fastened to the handle 72 while the second rod 78 has its ends loosely connected to the handle by means of elongated slots 80 so that the second rod can move relative to the handle toward and away from the first rod 76. When the strap 14 is trained over the second rod 78 and then between the first and second rods as illustrated in FIG. 5, movement of the handle from its solid-tine position to its broken-line position initially causes the second rod 78 to move toward the first rod 76 to grip the portion of the strap 14 disposed therebetween. Then, further movement of the handle counterclockwise pulls the strap 14 in the direction of the arrow 60 past the gripping surface 24 as permitted by the unidirectional gripping member 26. TI-Ie system of FIG. Sis, therefore, a buckle I0" and an integrated lever-operated take-up means which utilizes the unidirectional characteristics of the buckle It)" as well as the unidirectional characteristics of the take-up means. Once the strap I4 is extended through the buckle It)" and then trained over the second rod 78 and between the first rod 76 and second rod 78, the portion of the strap 14 leading to the buckle can be tightened from its illustrated solid-line position to its illustrated broken-line position by cranking the handle '72 in a counterclockwise direction a plurality of times. It will be appreciated that the handle 72 can be gripped at its end 82 and that the distance between the pivot axis defined by the trunnion 74 and the gripping portion 82 is significantly greater than the distance between the first and second rods 76, 78 and the trunnion 74 axis to give the take-up means of FIG. 5 a considerable mechanicai advantage. It will also be ap preciated that the slots 80, only one of which is shown,

are disposed relative to the axis of the first rod 76 in such a manner that the initial movement of the handle 72 in a counterclockwise direction immediately pulls the second rod '78 toward the radially inner ends of the slots 86. Of course, the surfaces of the two rods 76, 78 can be conventionally serrated or knurled to provide a better gripping action for the strap 14.

In FIG. 3, l have illustrated a connector connecting the strap 12 to a member 112 having a slot 114 formed therein, The strap 14 may also be connected to such a slotted member l 12.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 6-9, the structure of the connectors 1 10 will be discussed. In FIG. 6, I show a cargo space including slotted members 112 on opposite walls of the space. These members 1 12 extend vertically, and each member includes a plurality of vertically spaced apart vertically elongated slots 114, each of which has a standard width and length as discussed previously. In FIG. 6, I show straps i2 and 14 connected to the two illustrated members 112 and a buckle l0 connecting the straps together. Also I show a support beam 116 having its opposite ends connected, respectively, to the members 112 by means of connectors I it).

The illustrative connector 110 includes an elongated connector member 120 providing a front side portion or main body portion 122 and a rear side portion 124, the rear side portion being formed to provide, at spaced apart points intermediate its opposite ends, outwardly extending, generally oppositely facing abutment surfaces 126, 128. The connector member 120 has a width less than the standard width of the slots 114 and a length greater than the standard length of the slots. The distance between the abutment surfaces 126, 128 is less than the standard length of the slots 114 by an amount such that the rear side portion 124 between the abutment surfaces can move longitudinally in the slots 114. In the illustrative embodiment, the connector member 120 is formed to provide rearwardly facing longitudinally extending surfaces 130, 132 extending outwardly, respectively, from the abutment surfaces 126, 128. These surfaces 130, 132 engage the inner surfaces or back surfaces of the members 112 when the connector members 120 are disposed in the slots 114. Further, each connector member 120 is preferably formed with inwardly facing, outwardly extending abutment surfaces 134 on its front side portion 122, these surfaces 134 serving to prevent lateral movement of the strap 12, 14 which is wrapped about the connector member. It will be appreciated that the front side portion of the connector member 120 between the abutment surfaces 134 is rounded and smooth and that the strap 12, 14 is looped about this rounded and smooth surface. The members 120 may be forged or cast or otherwise formed to provide the relatively sturdy structure thereof.

The connector 110 also includes a locking member 136 which is elongated and disposed to extend longitudinally along the rear side portion 124 of the connector member 120. The locking member 136 is provided with an opening 138 which is in registry with an opening 139 through the connector member 120. The fastening element 140 has a shank portion 140a smaller in diameter than the opening 138 through which it extends so that the locking member 136 is loosely connected to the connector member 120 for movement toward and away from its rear side portion 124. The member 136 provides a locking means 142 disposed to overlie the abutment surface 126 when the locking member 136 is in its position shown in FIG. 9 relative to the connector member 120. In the illustrative embodiment, the locking means is merely a tang bent forwardly. Further, the locking member 136 provides keeper portions 146, 148 at each of its ends which serves to prevent movement of the locking member transversely through the slots I14, i.e., to the left as viewed in FIG. 9.

I provide means for yieldably urging the upper portion of the locking member 136 to its locking position close to the rear side portion 124. In the illustrative embodiment, this urging means is a leaf spring 150 formed as illustrated with an aperture 152 through which the fastening element 140 extends to connect the spring to the member 120.

The locking member 136 is, therefore, movable between its locking position at which the tang 142 overlies the abutment surface 126 and its releasing position where the tang 142 is disposed to the rear of and away from the abutment surface 126 as illustrated in FIG. 7. The locking member 136 can be moved in opposition to the spring 150 by pulling rearwardly on the keeper portions 146.

As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 9, a loop of the strap 14 is disposed about the connector member 126 and through elongated slots 154 in the locking member 136 with the end of the loop, i.e., the end of the strap, being stitched as indicated at 156. The width of the strap 14 is preferably less than the distance between the abutment surfaces 126, 128 and approximately equal to the distance between the abutment surfaces 134. As illustrated, the abutment surfaces 134, which are preferably disposed intermediate the abutment surfaces 126, 128, constitute means for holding the strap against movement so that its lateral edges are disposed, respectively,

inwardly from the abutment surfaces 126, 128 where they could become frayed and worn by contact with the ends of the slot 114. This is an important feature of my connector member because a strap can become very weak as a result of contacting sharp surfaces.

In order to get the connector member 120 through the slot 1 14, i.e., from the right-hand side of the section of the member 112 to its left-hand side as illustrated in FIG. 7, it is necessary to move one end of the member 120 transversely through the slot, then to move the member in the direction of that one end so that its other end can be moved transversely through the slot. Once the member 120 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 9, the member can be moved longitudinally in the slot 114 to contact the abutment surface 126 with the upper end of the slot only when the tang 142 is pulled to the right from its position overlying the abutment surface 126. Thus, the connector member 120 can be removed from its position illustrated in FIG. 9 by pulling the locking member 136 to its releasing position, moving the connector member 120 upwardly until the abutment surface 126 engages the upper end of the slot 114, and then pulling the lower end of the connector 120 transversely to the right as viewed in FIG. 9. When the locking member 136 is in its locking position, the connector member 120 cannot move longitudinally in the slot 114 an amount sufficient to permit either of its ends to be moved transversely through the slot.

In this description and in the claims appended hereto, the designations front side portion and rear side portion are adopted merely for convenience and are not intended to be limitative. For instance, in FIG. 9, that portion of the member 120 to the left of the plane defined generally by the surfaces 130, 132 may be considered the front side portion 122 and that portion of the member 120 to the right of those surfaces may be considered the rear side portion 124.

Referring now to FIG. 10, it will be seen that the illustrative connector includes a support bracket 1611 rigidly fastened to the rear side of the connector member the support bracket being proportioned and designed to receive and hold the end portion of a cargo brace or support member, such as a conventional 2 X 4 wooden brace. In the illustration of FIG. 10, the bracket 16% is provided with apertures 162 in its wall portion 164 which is disposed between the rear side portion of the connector member 120 and the locking member 136. Then, the rear side portion of the connecting member 120' is provided with rivet portions 166 which are headed as illustrated to make the rigid connection between the bracket and the connector member 120'. Also, in the illustration of FIG. 10, the member 136' is urged to its locking position by a coiled spring 159'.

What is claimed is:

1. A buckle for fastening a strap, said buckle comprising a frame including laterally spaced apart frame members arranged toreceive therebetween a portion of such a strap, and a rigid member providing a gripping surface extending between said frame members and against which such a strap portion rests, a gripping member providing an engaging portion proportioned and designed to engage such a strap portion and to hold it securely against said gripping surface, means mounting said gripping member for pivotal movement on said frames whereby said engaging portion is movable toward and away from said gripping surface, means for yieldably urging said gripping member about its pivot axis to urge said engaging portion into engagement with such a strap portion, and means for moving said gripping member against said urging means to release said strap portion, said moving means being operatively connected to said gripping member, said moving means including a lever mounted on said frame for pivotal movement relative to said gripping member, said lever providing a cam surface extending generally outwardly relative to the axis about which said lever pivots, a cam follower engaging said cam surface, said cam follower being rigidly attached to said gripping member.

2. A buckle for fastening a strap, said buckle comprising a frame including laterally spaced apart frame members arranged to receive therebetween a portion of such a strap, and a rigid member providing a gripping surface extending between said frame members and against which such a strap portion rests, a gripping member providing an engaging portion proportioned and designed to engage such a strap portion and to hold it securely against said gripping surface,

means mounting said gripping member for pivotal movement on said frame whereby said engaging portion is movable toward and away from said gripping surface, means for yieldably urging said gripping member about its pivot axis to urge said engaging portion into engagement with such a strap portion, and means for moving said gripping member against said urging means to release said strap portion, said moving means being operatively connected to said gripping member, said rigid member providing said gripping surface being a trunnion having a part circular bearing cross section, and said moving means including a lever mounted on said trunnion for rocking movement, said lever providing a cam surface extending generally outwardly relative to said rigid member, and a cam follower engaging and following said cam surface, said cam follower being movable with said gripping member.

3. A buckle for fastening a strap, said buckle comprising a frame including laterally spaced apart frame members arranged to receive therebetween a portion of such a strap, and a rigid member providing a gripping surface extending between said frame members and against which such a strap portion rests, a gripping member providing an engaging portion proportioned and designed to engage such a strap portion and to hold it securely against said gripping surface,

means mounting said gripping member for pivotal movement on said frame whereby said engaging portion is movable toward and away from said gripping surface, means for yieldably urging said gripping member about its pivot axis to urge said engaging portion into engagement with such a strap portion, and means for moving said gripping member against said urging means to release said strap portion, said moving means being operatively connected to said gripping member, said rigid member providing said gripping surface being a trunnion providing a part circular bearing cross section, said gripping surface being generally flat and parallel to the axis defined by said trunnion, said gripping member being mounted for pivotal movement about an axis generally parallel to said gripping surface and the axis of said trunnion, and said moving means including a lever mounted for rocking movement about said trunnion.

4. The buckle of claim 3 in which said lever is form ed to provide laterally space apart ears receiving therebetween such a strap portion, said ears being journal mounted on opposite ends of said trunnion, each of said ears providing a cam surface extending generally toward the axis about which said gripping member pivots, and a cam follower engaging each cam surface, said cam followers being movable with said gripping member.

5. The buckle of claim 4 in which said cam followers are provided by cylindrically shaped pins extending rigidly outwardly from said gripping member and parallel to its pivot axis.

6. The buckle of claim 3 in which the plane defined by said generally flat gripping surface is generally perpendicular to a second plane including the axis of said trunnion and the pivot axis of said gripping member, and in which said engaging portion is inclined relative to said second plane so that, when it is engaged with such a strap portion, it is inclined relative to said gripping surface in such a manner as to prevent movement of said strap portion in one direction and while permitting it to move in the opposite direction.

7. The buckle of claim 6 including take-up means for pulling such a strap portion in said opposite direction, said take-up means being mounted on said frame.

8. The invention of claim 7 in which said take-up means includes a handle mounted on said frame for pivotal movement between a first position a first distance from said gripping surface and a second position a second and further distance from said gripping surface, said handle including a pair of laterally spaced apart arm members receiving therebetween such a strap, a first rod extending rigidly between said arm members, a second rod extending between said arm members and connected thereto for movement toward and away from said first rod, whereby when such a strap portion is trained over said second rod and then between said rods, movement of said handle from its first position to its second position will move said rods together to grip such a strap portion to pull it in said opposite direction.

9. The invention of claim 8 in which said handle is pivotal about an axis extending generally parallel to said gripping surface, in which said first rod is disposed to extend parallel to the last said axis, and in which said arm members are provided with slots receiving the end portions, respectively, of said second rod.

10. The invention of claim 7 in which said takeup means includes rotary means journalled for rotation on said frame, said rotary means being proportioned and designed firmly to grip such a strap portion.

11. The invention of claim 10 in which said rotary means provides a pair of tranversely extending members defining a space therebetween for receiving such a strap portion, whereby, when said rotary means is rotated, said strap portion is wrapped .about said members.

12. A buckle for fastening a strap, said buckle comprising a frame including laterally spaced apart frame members arranged to receive therebetween a portion of such a strap, and a rigid member providing a gripping surface extending between said frame members and against which such a strap portion rests, a gripping member providing an engaging portion proportioned and designed to engage such a strap portion and to hold it securely against said gripping surface, means mounting said gripping member for pivotal movement on said frame whereby said engaging portion is movable toward and away from said gripping surface, means for yieldably urging said gripping member about its pivot axis to urge said engaging portion into engagement with such a strap portion, and means for moving said gripping member against said urging means to release said strap portion, said moving means being operatively connected to said gripping member, said engaging portion being inclined relative to said gripping surface in such a manner that it engages such a strap portion and prevents it from moving in one direction while permitting it to move in the opposite direction, take-up means for pulling such a strap portion in said opposite direction, said take-up means being mounted on said frame said take-up means including a handle mounted on said frame for pivotal movement between a first position a first distance from said gripping surface and a second position a second and further distance from said gripping surface, said handle including a pair of laterally spaced apart arm members receiving therebetween such a strap, a first rod extending rigidly between said arm members, a second rod extending between said arm members and connected thereto for movement toward and away from said first rod, whereby when such a strap portion is trained over said second rod and then between said rods, movement of said handle from its first position to its second position will move said rods together to grip such a strap portion to pull it in said opposite direction.

13. The invention of claim 12 in which said handle is pivotal about an axis extending generally parallel to said gripping surface, in which said first rod is disposed to extend parallel to the last said axis, and in which said arm members are provided with slots receiving the end portions, respectively, of said second rod.

14. For use in a cargo hauling system including a structural member having a thickness and providing an elongated slot therein having a standard length and width, a connector comprising an elongated connector member providing a front side portion and rear side portion, said rear side portion being formed to provide, at spaced apart points intermediate its opposite ends, outwardly extending generally oppositely facing abutment surfaces, said connector member having a width less than the width of said slot and a length greater than thel n f 'd lot,th dist n betw s d b tmenss a b eirig less shah the i ength sai sl t by an amount such that said rear side portion can move longitudinally in said slot to permit one end of said front side portion to be moved transversely through said slot, a locking member, means for connecting said locking member to said connector member for movement toward said rear side to its locking position and away from said rear side to its releasing position, said locking member carrying locking means disposed to overlie one of said abutment surfaces to prevent such longitudinal movement of said rear side portion when said locking member is in its locking position and to be positioned rearwardly of said one abutment surface to permit such longitudinal movement when said locking member is in its releasing position, and means for yieldably urging said locking member to its locking position, said locking member being provided with laterally spaced apart elongated slots, and including a flexible cargo strap formed to provide a closed loop extending about said connector member and through said slots, the width of said strap being less than the distance between said abutment surfaces and said strap being disposed between said abutment surfaces, and in which said urging means includes a leaf spring.

15. The invention of claim 14 in which said locking member is elongated in the direction of elongation of said connector member to provide, extending longitudinally outwardly from each abutment surface, a keeper portion effective to prevent movement of said locking member transversely through said slot.

16. For use in a cargo hauling system including a structural member having a thickness and providing an elongated slot therein having a standard length and width, a connector comprising an elongated connector member providing a front side portion and rear side portion, said rear side portion being formed to provide, at space apart points intermediate its opposite ends, outwardly extending generally oppositely facing abutment surfaces, said connector member having a width less than the width of said slot and a length greater than the length of said slot, the distance between said abutment surfaces being less than the length of said slot by and amount such that said rear side portion can move longitudinally in said slot to permit one end of said front side portion to be moved transversely through said slot, a locking member, means for connecting said locking member to said connector member for movement toward said rear side to its locking position and away from said rear side to its releasing position, said locking member carrying locking means disposed to overlie one of said abutment surfaces to prevent such longitudinal movement of said rear side portion when said locking member is in its locking position and to be positioned rearwardly of said one abutment surface to permit such longitudinal movement when said locking member is in its releasing position, and means for yieldably urging said locking member to its locking position, and a support bracket rigidly fastened to the rear side of said connector member, said support bracket being proportioned and designed to receive and hold the end portion of cargo brace and support member.

@133 UNITED STATES PATENT @FFKCE CETH ECATE 0F CGRECHQN Patent No. 3,686,715 Dated August 29 1972 l.nventor( s;) Anthony F. Brodnicki It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4 line 4 "while" should be While line 53, w the comma should be a period; line 62, "1" should be I Column 5, line 39, after the period, and before "The" insert the following sentence A fastening element 140 penetrates through the opening 138 and extends into the opening 139 to be rigidly fastened to the member 120.

Column 8, line 20 (Claim 4, line 2) "space" should be spaced Column 9, line 35 (Claim 12, line 25) after "frame" and before "said" insert a comma.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of March 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer v Commissioner of Patents 

1. A buckle for fastening a strap, said buckle comprising a frame including laterally spaced apart frame members arranged to receive therebetween a portion of such a strap, and a rigid member providing a gripping surface extending between said frame members and against which such a strap portion rests, a gripping member providing an engaging portion proportioned and designed to engage such a strap portion and to hold it securely against said gripping surface, means mounting said gripping member for pivotal movement on said frames whereby said engaging portion is movable toward and away from said gripping surface, means for yieldably urging said gripping member about its pivot axis to urge said engaging portion into engagement with such a strap portion, and means for moving said gripping member against said urging means to release said strap portion, said moving means being operatively connected to said gripping member, said moving means including a lever mounted on said frame for pivotal movement relative to said gripping member, said lever providing a cam surface extending generally outwardly relative to the axis about which said lever pivots, a cam follower engaging said cam surface, said cam follower being rigidly attached to said gripping member.
 2. A buckle for fastening a strap, said buckle comprising a frame including laterally spacEd apart frame members arranged to receive therebetween a portion of such a strap, and a rigid member providing a gripping surface extending between said frame members and against which such a strap portion rests, a gripping member providing an engaging portion proportioned and designed to engage such a strap portion and to hold it securely against said gripping surface, means mounting said gripping member for pivotal movement on said frame whereby said engaging portion is movable toward and away from said gripping surface, means for yieldably urging said gripping member about its pivot axis to urge said engaging portion into engagement with such a strap portion, and means for moving said gripping member against said urging means to release said strap portion, said moving means being operatively connected to said gripping member, said rigid member providing said gripping surface being a trunnion having a part circular bearing cross section, and said moving means including a lever mounted on said trunnion for rocking movement, said lever providing a cam surface extending generally outwardly relative to said rigid member, and a cam follower engaging and following said cam surface, said cam follower being movable with said gripping member.
 3. A buckle for fastening a strap, said buckle comprising a frame including laterally spaced apart frame members arranged to receive therebetween a portion of such a strap, and a rigid member providing a gripping surface extending between said frame members and against which such a strap portion rests, a gripping member providing an engaging portion proportioned and designed to engage such a strap portion and to hold it securely against said gripping surface, means mounting said gripping member for pivotal movement on said frame whereby said engaging portion is movable toward and away from said gripping surface, means for yieldably urging said gripping member about its pivot axis to urge said engaging portion into engagement with such a strap portion, and means for moving said gripping member against said urging means to release said strap portion, said moving means being operatively connected to said gripping member, said rigid member providing said gripping surface being a trunnion providing a part circular bearing cross section, said gripping surface being generally flat and parallel to the axis defined by said trunnion, said gripping member being mounted for pivotal movement about an axis generally parallel to said gripping surface and the axis of said trunnion, and said moving means including a lever mounted for rocking movement about said trunnion.
 4. The buckle of claim 3 in which said lever is formed to provide laterally space apart ears receiving therebetween such a strap portion, said ears being journal mounted on opposite ends of said trunnion, each of said ears providing a cam surface extending generally toward the axis about which said gripping member pivots, and a cam follower engaging each cam surface, said cam followers being movable with said gripping member.
 5. The buckle of claim 4 in which said cam followers are provided by cylindrically shaped pins extending rigidly outwardly from said gripping member and parallel to its pivot axis.
 6. The buckle of claim 3 in which the plane defined by said generally flat gripping surface is generally perpendicular to a second plane including the axis of said trunnion and the pivot axis of said gripping member, and in which said engaging portion is inclined relative to said second plane so that, when it is engaged with such a strap portion, it is inclined relative to said gripping surface in such a manner as to prevent movement of said strap portion in one direction and while permitting it to move in the opposite direction.
 7. The buckle of claim 6 including take-up means for pulling such a strap portion in said opposite direction, said take-up means being mounted on said frame.
 8. The invention of claim 7 in which said take-up means includes a handle mounted on said frame for pivotal movement between a first position a first distance from said gripping surface and a second position a second and further distance from said gripping surface, said handle including a pair of laterally spaced apart arm members receiving therebetween such a strap, a first rod extending rigidly between said arm members, a second rod extending between said arm members and connected thereto for movement toward and away from said first rod, whereby when such a strap portion is trained over said second rod and then between said rods, movement of said handle from its first position to its second position will move said rods together to grip such a strap portion to pull it in said opposite direction.
 9. The invention of claim 8 in which said handle is pivotal about an axis extending generally parallel to said gripping surface, in which said first rod is disposed to extend parallel to the last said axis, and in which said arm members are provided with slots receiving the end portions, respectively, of said second rod.
 10. The invention of claim 7 in which said take-up means includes rotary means journalled for rotation on said frame, said rotary means being proportioned and designed firmly to grip such a strap portion.
 11. The invention of claim 10 in which said rotary means provides a pair of tranversely extending members defining a space therebetween for receiving such a strap portion, whereby, when said rotary means is rotated, said strap portion is wrapped about said members.
 12. A buckle for fastening a strap, said buckle comprising a frame including laterally spaced apart frame members arranged to receive therebetween a portion of such a strap, and a rigid member providing a gripping surface extending between said frame members and against which such a strap portion rests, a gripping member providing an engaging portion proportioned and designed to engage such a strap portion and to hold it securely against said gripping surface, means mounting said gripping member for pivotal movement on said frame whereby said engaging portion is movable toward and away from said gripping surface, means for yieldably urging said gripping member about its pivot axis to urge said engaging portion into engagement with such a strap portion, and means for moving said gripping member against said urging means to release said strap portion, said moving means being operatively connected to said gripping member, said engaging portion being inclined relative to said gripping surface in such a manner that it engages such a strap portion and prevents it from moving in one direction while permitting it to move in the opposite direction, take-up means for pulling such a strap portion in said opposite direction, said take-up means being mounted on said frame, said take-up means including a handle mounted on said frame for pivotal movement between a first position a first distance from said gripping surface and a second position a second and further distance from said gripping surface, said handle including a pair of laterally spaced apart arm members receiving therebetween such a strap, a first rod extending rigidly between said arm members, a second rod extending between said arm members and connected thereto for movement toward and away from said first rod, whereby when such a strap portion is trained over said second rod and then between said rods, movement of said handle from its first position to its second position will move said rods together to grip such a strap portion to pull it in said opposite direction.
 13. The invention of claim 12 in which said handle is pivotal about an axis extending generally parallel to said gripping surface, in which said first rod is disposed to extend parallel to the last said axis, and in which said arm members are provided with slots receiving the end portions, respectively, of said second rod.
 14. For use in a cargo hauling system including a structural member having a thickness and providing an elongated slot therein having a standard lengtH and width, a connector comprising an elongated connector member providing a front side portion and rear side portion, said rear side portion being formed to provide, at spaced apart points intermediate its opposite ends, outwardly extending generally oppositely facing abutment surfaces, said connector member having a width less than the width of said slot and a length greater than the length of said slot, the distance between said abutment surfaces being less than the length of said slot by an amount such that said rear side portion can move longitudinally in said slot to permit one end of said front side portion to be moved transversely through said slot, a locking member, means for connecting said locking member to said connector member for movement toward said rear side to its locking position and away from said rear side to its releasing position, said locking member carrying locking means disposed to overlie one of said abutment surfaces to prevent such longitudinal movement of said rear side portion when said locking member is in its locking position and to be positioned rearwardly of said one abutment surface to permit such longitudinal movement when said locking member is in its releasing position, and means for yieldably urging said locking member to its locking position, said locking member being provided with laterally spaced apart elongated slots, and including a flexible cargo strap formed to provide a closed loop extending about said connector member and through said slots, the width of said strap being less than the distance between said abutment surfaces and said strap being disposed between said abutment surfaces, and in which said urging means includes a leaf spring.
 15. The invention of claim 14 in which said locking member is elongated in the direction of elongation of said connector member to provide, extending longitudinally outwardly from each abutment surface, a keeper portion effective to prevent movement of said locking member transversely through said slot.
 16. For use in a cargo hauling system including a structural member having a thickness and providing an elongated slot therein having a standard length and width, a connector comprising an elongated connector member providing a front side portion and rear side portion, said rear side portion being formed to provide, at space apart points intermediate its opposite ends, outwardly extending generally oppositely facing abutment surfaces, said connector member having a width less than the width of said slot and a length greater than the length of said slot, the distance between said abutment surfaces being less than the length of said slot by an amount such that said rear side portion can move longitudinally in said slot to permit one end of said front side portion to be moved transversely through said slot, a locking member, means for connecting said locking member to said connector member for movement toward said rear side to its locking position and away from said rear side to its releasing position, said locking member carrying locking means disposed to overlie one of said abutment surfaces to prevent such longitudinal movement of said rear side portion when said locking member is in its locking position and to be positioned rearwardly of said one abutment surface to permit such longitudinal movement when said locking member is in its releasing position, and means for yieldably urging said locking member to its locking position, and a support bracket rigidly fastened to the rear side of said connector member, said support bracket being proportioned and designed to receive and hold the end portion of cargo brace and support member. 